Bayo Adelabu drops his Oyo APC primary challenge, saying his 2027 governorship ambition is not a do-or-die affair while urging party reconciliation
Former Minister of Power and Oyo State governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Bayo Adelabu, on Thursday, August 27, 2026, announced in Ibadan that he would not challenge the APC governorship primary in court, despite concerns over the process that produced Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s 2027 candidate.
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Adelabu said his decision was motivated by the need to protect peace, party stability and the future of the APC in Oyo State rather than by any lack of evidence or confidence in his position.
The former minister said the decision followed consultations with party leaders, loyalists and supporters drawn from the state’s 33 local government areas and 351 wards.
Adelabu’s withdrawal comes amid a bitter dispute among several APC governorship aspirants over the primary process. Some aspirants had alleged that Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, was imposed on the party.
While Adelabu said he would not pursue an internal appeal or legal action “at this time”, he maintained that serious questions remained over the credibility of the primary.
“This decision is not because of a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction. Neither should it be interpreted as an act of surrender or an indication that my aspiration to serve as Governor of Oyo State is a do-or-die affair,” Adelabu said.
He argued that party members had invested considerable time, resources and political capital in building the APC, only to feel that their preferences had been disregarded during the nomination process.
According to Adelabu, concerns extend beyond the governorship primary to senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly nominations.
He alleged that actual results were not transparently published before selected names appeared on the Independent National Electoral Commission electronic portal as APC candidates for the 2027 elections.
Adelabu also referred to what he described as “substantial documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence” which, in his view, raise questions about aspects of the process and its outcome.
His comments came after the APC national leadership reportedly acknowledged problems surrounding aspects of the Oyo primary. Adelabu said the acknowledgement was welcome but should be followed by concrete steps to address legitimate grievances.
He called on the national leadership to launch a comprehensive reconciliation process involving all affected aspirants and party stakeholders.
“Electoral victory cannot be secured merely by entering names on an electronic portal or announcing candidates,” Adelabu said, stressing that grassroots support and the confidence of party members would be crucial to the APC’s prospects in 2027.
The former minister also sought to distinguish his political ambition from the current dispute, saying his desire to govern Oyo was driven by a wish to contribute to the state’s development rather than by personal political entitlement.
Adelabu, who has previously served in senior public office, said he remained grateful for the opportunities he had received and accepted that political ambitions could be delayed by circumstances beyond an individual’s control.
The decision does not amount to an abandonment of Adelabu Oyo APC primary concerns. Rather, his statement leaves the wider dispute over transparency, reconciliation and the legitimacy of the party’s nominations unresolved as the APC prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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For now, Adelabu has chosen party cohesion over a prolonged legal battle, while urging the APC leadership to take meaningful action to rebuild trust among members who feel aggrieved by the primary process.
